CHURCHILL 'WITH THE BRITISH TROOPS IN FRANCE' GORT (1886-1946, Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, 1939-1940) and Sir Henry Royds POWNALL, (1887-1961, Gort's Chief of Staff)

Very Fine Official War Photograph signed on the image by Gort and Pownall, showing Churchill seated leaning back in an arm chair near the fireplace, cigar in hand, and next to the wireless, in serious discussion with Lord GORT, who is standing but leaning forward towards him, while Sir Henry Royds POWNALL, fills his pipe at one side, who are both in uniform, a naval officer is shown reflected in the ornate mirror over the fire, flimsy on verso 'With the British Troops in France' and War Office stamp for release on 8th November, 10" x 12", B.E.F. General Headquarters, apparently in a French château, no date but 4th November former central vertical fold with almost imperceptible loss

Churchill, of course, was still 1st Lord of the Admiralty. At this stage of the war, Germany's U-boats and destroyers were a far greater threat than her land forces - on 14th October the Royal Oak had been sunk in Scapa Flow. The B.E.F. was deployed on the French side of the Belgian frontier and involved in only occasional skirmishes with German troops. Churchill spent 2nd - 5th November in Paris in long talks, co-ordinating French and British policy, but made time to visit Gort for lunch on the 4th.

Item Date:  1939

Stock No:  56224      £775

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